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Specialised bins for recycling of glass bottles and used electrical appliances in Islands District (with photos)
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     The recycling of glass bottles and waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is an easy green practice for everyone in daily life. To encourage local residents and shop operators to go green, in March this year the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) placed specialised recycling bins for glass bottles and WEEE at new collection points in five areas in Islands District.

     In March the EPD, in collaboration with the Islands District Office and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, launched a pilot waste recycling programme in Islands District under which recycling bins were placed at 13 collection points in Cheung Chau, Peng Chau, Yung Shu Wan and Sok Kwu Wan on Lamma Island and Mui Wo on Lantau Island to collect glass bottles and WEEE. Bulky used electrical appliances can also be placed in reserved spaces beside the recycle bins.

     A spokesman for the EPD said, ¡§In light of the overwhelming response from local residents and shop operators to the Islands Community Recycling Booths Scheme and the Islands Food Waste Recycling Scheme launched last year, the EPD organised a new recycling programme, the Pilot Community Recycling Programme in Islands District, to further promote recycling in the district.¡¨

     Under the pilot scheme, glass bottles and WEEE are collected at the designated points every day and delivered to refuse transfer facilities on the islands. The EPD then assists in arranging the recyclables for proper treatment.

     The glass bottles collected will be turned into eco-pavers by local recycling companies for use in suitable works projects, whereas the WEEE will be treated at the recycling centre in EcoPark and donated to those in need after checks and repairs. Items beyond repair will be dismantled and their components and materials recovered for reuse and recycling.

     The spokesman said the pilot scheme will run for a year and the EPD will monitor its effectiveness with a view to considering other recycling schemes.

     Information about the collection points in Islands District is available at www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en/community/gb_usedea_intro.htm. For enquiries, please call 2838 3111.

     The Government is pursuing a strategy of waste reduction as a top priority while also progressively implementing producer responsibility schemes (PRS) to promote waste reduction at source. The EPD is conducting a public consultation on a PRS on glass beverage bottles. Members of the public are welcome to submit their views and details are available on the EPD webpage. On WEEE, the Government is now preparing legislative proposals for a PRS on the issue and for the building of a WEEE treatment facility.

Ends/Sunday, March 31, 2013
Issued at HKT 12:02

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